Uddhav Ambi     email
    Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research

    Supervisor:
    Jun. Prof. Dr. Redmond Smyth (Würzburg)
    Promotion Committee:
    Jun. Prof. Dr. Redmond Smyth (Würzburg)
    Dr. Antoine-Emmanuel Saliba  (Würzburg)
    Prof. Dr. Bettina Böttcher  (Würzburg)
    Dr. Simone Backes  (Würzburg)

    Influenza virus reassortment


    Influenza viruses have segmented genomes consisting of 7 to 8 negative stranded RNA segments (vRNAs). Genome segmentation greatly complicates virus assembly but provides evolutionary advantages by allowing gene exchange between viruses by genetic reassortment. Our goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic reassortment between influenza viruses so that we can better predict the emergence of potentially pandemic strains. Furthermore, by better understanding this process, we will be able to swiftly modify the vaccine backbones to efficiently reassort and to produce high yielding vaccine seeds.